Justice News

Inmate Indicted For Assaulting Two Correctional Officers

WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Benito Flores, age 38, an inmate at United States Penitentiary Allenwood (USP Allenwood), Allenwood, Pennsylvania, was indicted on July 26, 2018, by a federal grand jury for assaulting two correctional officers.

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the indictment alleges that on June 4, 2017, Flores kicked and elbowed correctional officers while they performed their official duties.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and USP Allenwood. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alisan VanFleet is prosecuting the case.

Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

The maximum penalty under federal law for each offense is eight years of imprisonment, $250,000 fine, and a three year term of supervised release. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.